All shotgun shooters want to shoot better. But for many
shooters, a handful of shooting mistakes create frustration in
the field or on the range. Instructors at the National Wing & Clay Shooting Schoolhelp
shooters at all skill levels gain proficiency by eliminating
mistakes and by helping each shooter trust their instincts.

Tip #1 - In all shooting, practice safety first. Always
wear hearing and eye protection. Keep your gun unloaded and the
action visibly open until you're ready to shoot. Once you are
finished shooting, make sure the gun is once again empty and the
action is open. Always keep the gun's muzzle pointed down range.
Never point a gun muzzle backward over your shoulder.

Tip #2 - Practice swinging and mounting an unloaded gun
to your face in front of a mirror. Make sure you stand erect.
Do not lower your face to the gun or tilt your head. Lift the
gun straight up using a short concise motion. Be sure to use both
hands equally, as though they were connected by a steel rod. Mount
the gun precisely from the same starting position each time. Always
mount to the same place on your face each time. Mount the gun
to the face not the shoulder. Do ten swing/mounts each day. (The
best shots make this part of their daily routine.)

Tip #3 - When shooting (or practicing your swing/mounts),
position your feet so that a line extending from your rear heel
to your leading foot points to where you will break the target.
Keep your stance relatively narrow. This position encourages a
smooth swing and a good follow through.

Tip #4 - Learn to first swing the gun and then mount it.
If we mount the gun as we swing to the target, the mount takes
no time. Allow your pointing instincts to take over your swing.
As your eyes become sharply focused on the target, finish the
gun mount and shoot the instant the target is in sharp focus.

Tip #5 - When pointing your gun, focus on the target and
not the gun barrel or bead. Point, don't aim. Aiming slows your
swing and causes you to shoot behind. Since a shot string is 10-14'
long, use it to your advantage by pointing slightly more in front
of a target. If you miss crossing targets, you are probably shooting
behind. Try to "miss" in front by doubling your lead,
and if still missing, try doubling the lead again.

Tip #6 - Gun fit is important. Have your gun fitted so
it shoots where you look. This test requires that you first have
a consistent, well practiced gun mount. To test for gun fit, set
up a pattern board at 16 yards. Fire several consecutive shots
by mounting and shooting at a center dot without aiming, but by
merely pointing at the target. If the highest pattern density
is off center, take the target and your gun to a competent gun
fitter for adjustment.

Tip #7 - When shooting simultaneous (true) pairs, decide
ahead of time which target you will break. Generally, shoot the
behind or lower target first, unless one target is quick to disappear
behind cover or is decidedly more difficult. Shooting the lower
target first allows gun recoil to bring you automatically to the
upper target. Shooting the back target first allows your swing
to continue smoothly to the front target.

Tip #8 - When you're experiencing a missing streak, change
something. Change one of your postures. Double your lead. Or,
give yourself less think time by moving your gun hold point and
target view point closer to the break point. Pull the trigger
the instant the gun is mounted to your face and the target is
in focus.

Tip #10 - Regular practice improves scores. However, when
practice no longer improves your hitting ability, take a lesson
from a certified NSCA instructor. A competent instructor can diagnose
specific shooting problems and improve your proficiency. The dollars
paid to a competent instructor are quickly returned in better
scores and saved ammunition.

The National Wing & Clay
Shooting School Increases Shooting Skills

If you want to improve your skills on the upland bird fields,
at your favorite waterfowl marsh, or at the skeet, trap or
sporting clays range, the National Wing & Clay Shooting School travels nationwide to clubs and corporate events.
Instruction is by top level NSCA instructors who teach all wing
shooting methods. You'll learn the shooting methods that fit your
shooting style, custom tailored to your specific needs.
Instruction is individual, and all skill levels are taught.